Finding a spot in your kitchen for a trash can is tricky. You want it to be easily accessible so that detritus doesn’t end up on the kitchen counter, but you also don’t want to see or smell this receptacle—ever.

The solution? Hide your trash can in plain sight, while still making it easy to access. Fortunately, there are a few clever, tried-and-true ideas that designers swear by for keeping garbage out of sight and out of mind.

01of 07

Use a Pull-Out Cabinet

Trash in pull out cabinet

The obvious way to hide a trash can is to put it in a pull-out cabinet. You can even fit two bins in the same cabinet—one for trash, and one for recycling.

02of 07

Use the Under-Sink Drawer

Under sink faux cabinet

Putting the trash under the kitchen sink is a standard way to hide it, but you can elevate this look even more.

03of 07

Use an Attractive Basket

Woven basket with lid

In small kitchens, there may not be a good spot to hide your trash can. If that’s the case, then make the most of the situation and hide it in plain sight.trash can, and that adds a dose of style to the room.

04of 07

Tuck the Trash Can in a Pantry

broom in a pantry

If you have a pantry, then you can close the door on trash and tuck it away completely. “[This] eliminates visual clutter in the kitchen, especially if you’re tight on space.

However, this only works if you have a pantry that’s big enough, and that’s in the right place.

05of 07

Create a Piece of Furniture

kitchen with pots and pans and signs

Disguising the trash can rather than hiding it away also keeps it closer to prep areas without making it look unsightly.

06of 07

Hide It With a Curtain

Curtain under a kitchen counter

Underneath your counter is a prime spot to hide a trash can.

You can even add a cute curtain to disguise it—but make sure that the fabric is both washable and waterproof. This will ensure that it can stand up to the mess of daily trash—and you can throw it into the washing machine on a regular basis.